South to Santa Cruz to prepare for the racing months
The Global Relay Bridge the Gap program has played a huge role in the success I have been having this season. After completing a fall semester at the University of Calgary, I made my way south to Santa Cruz to prepare for the racing months. My first stretch of racing included the San Dimas stage race and the Redlands Bicycle Classic where I wore the KOM jersey for the first 3 stages. The year continued with an amazing week at the Trek Red Truck training camp in sunny Santa Rosa, which allowed me proper preparation for the Tour de Bloom in Washington. After winning stage 2, I managed to retain the overall win and walk away with my first GC win of the season. More recently, I was able to recreate the success I had at Banff Bike Fest from last year and repeat my GC win.
The Canadian National Championships are soon approaching along with the second half of the season and one of my favourite races of the year, the Gastown Grand Prix, will be a target race for me. The assistance I have received this year from the program has helped me take the steps needed to furthering my goal to become a pro cyclist. Having a sponsor like Global Relay help fund and develop cycling in Canada will see the talent pool grow and make us competitive at an international level.
Thanks for all the support and hopefully the second half of the year will see me build on my results from the early season!